Barry Dickerson had Caper Spurge (Euphorbia lathyris) pop up in his garden in Eynesbury. This species is only of scattered occurrence in the VC and is generally found close to habitation. This is one of my favourite plants, a combination of its alien looks and it being one of the first plants I noticed as a kid. The photo is by Barry.
Lynne Farrell and Barry have been out around Bluntisham and Lynne noted a new colony of Birthwort (Aristolochia clematitis) not far from the long known colony behind the Baptist Church. This species has persisted at this location since at least 1949, when it was first reported.
Photo by Bouba (Wikimedia Commons)
Lynne also found an old pear tree nearby that seems to be Wild Pear (Pyrus pyraster). At first the location seems a bit incongruous, but as this area used to be orchards it is possible that it was planted to serve as a pollinator for the fruit crop. Normally this species is found as an odd tree here and there on the edge of ancient woodland and in ancient hedgerows. Photo taken by Lynne after retrieval from the compost bin to double check a few measurements!
Interesting you should say this is one of the first species you noticed as a child, as my two-year-old has really noticed it this year (in VC51).
ReplyDeleteCaper spurge that is.
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